Recall file
Function Name:
This function recalls one or more files into the GRAPHICS module. The files that are recalled may be either string (.str), observation (.obs) or digital terrain model (.dtm) files.
Fields on the RECALL A FILE form.
Layer
Enter the name of the layer into which the data are to be recalled. This layer name may be the name of an existing layer or it may be the name of a new layer. The name which you choose for the layer may have any combination of characters and numbers. If the layer specified does not exist then it will be created.
Location, Id Range and File type
Specify the file which is to be recalled by entering the Location, Id Range and File type.
The File type must be one of:
- S, for string files (.str),
- O, for observation files (.obs), or
- D, for digital terrain models (.dtm).
Note:If more than one file is defined by the range then they will be recalled and appended together. This is an easy way to combine a number of files with the same location. Using the SAVE FILE function will create a file that contains data from all the recalled files.
String Range
Enter the range of strings to be recalled. A blank field causes all strings in the file to be recalled.
Retain descriptions
Respond with:
- Y, if the descriptions are to be loaded from the file, or
- N, if the descriptions are not to be loaded. If descriptions are not loaded and the data are subsequently saved back to the same file then the description values will be permanently lost.
(A)ppend or (R)eplace
Respond with:
- A, to indicate if the file which is being recalled is to be appended to the data in the specified layer. When appending files together, the styles file that is already in use is NOT replaced by the styles file name from the newly appended file.
- R, if it is to replace the data in the specified layer. This includes the replacement of the styles file with that which is recorded in the new string file that is being loaded.
Drawing Styles File
Enter the name of the drawing styles file which is to be used to determine the colours and other attributes when drawing DTMs and strings. Typically this field will be left blank since the 4th field of the string file commonly has the name of the drawing styles file that is to be used for rendering the string data on the screen. By leaving the Drawing Styles File input field on this form blank, the styles file recorded in the string file will be used.
If you wish to use a different styles file for rendering the strings on the screen then enter the new name here.
If the string file has no styles file name recorded AND if this input field is left blank, the default drawing styles file as defined in the defaults.ssi file is used.
Note: If you choose to load a different styles file to that which is recorded in the string file, the new styles file name is recorded in the string file for future reference when the string file is saved using the SAVE FILE function.
Rescale display
Respond with:
- Y, if the view is to be rescaled after the file is recalled, or
- N, if the view is to remain the same.
Result
If the file is successfully recalled the data will be displayed subject to the file type.
If a string file is loaded then the Drawing Method of the styles file is used to draw the strings with the colours and other characteristics as defined in the styles file.
If a DTM file is loaded then the DTM is drawn as a simple network of triangles using the colours and other characteristics as defined in the styles file.
The view will be rescaled or not according to the specified rescale option above.
Messages
Number of points is now xxxThe number of points in the specified layer is now `xxx'.
Warning
File xxx not found
The specified file was not found. You may have mis-typed the name or currently using the wrong working directory.